In talking with Angels reliever Scot Shields about his poor second half last season and how he dedicated himself (by his standards) to an off-season workout program, the situation of closer Francisco Rodriguez naturally came up.

If Rodriguez leaves as a free agent following this season (as Rodriguez has said he “probably” will), the Angels will be in the market for a closer. After establishing himself as one of the best setup men in baseball, it would be natural for Shields to relish the opportunity to step up the evolutionary ladder and see if he could become just as successful as a closer.

And it could be a lucrative step. Shields’ agent, Craig Landis, was smart enough to get a series of bonuses for games finished included in the four-year, $18 million contract extension Shields signed last year. Shields could add as much as $1.5 million to his salary in 2009, $2 million in 2010 if he is regularly closing out games.

If Shields is champing at the bit to become the Angels’ closer, he is keeping it to himself. Shields remains a strong advocate of the Angels re-signing Rodriguez and even says he would support a decision to go out and bring in a proven closer (like another potential free agent, Twins closer Joe Nathan) if that’s how the Angels decide to replace Rodriguez.

“Don’t get me wrong. I would definitely take it (the closer’s job) if they give it to me,” Shields said. “But I do want him (Rodriguez) to stay and if he leaves and they go out and get somebody else, I’m fine with that, too.

“I want whatever’s best for the team. I was fortunate to be on a World Series team (in 2002) and I know our best chance to do that again is with Frankie.”

For now, Shields is dealing with some soreness in his pitching shoulder — an annual rite of spring, he says — and won’t pitch in his first game for another couple days. Short relievers don’t need as much time as starting pitchers to build arm strength for the season so Angels manager Mike Scioscia doesn’t see this as an issue.